'I have a most decided objection, M. le Capitaine.'
'Parbleu!'
'I do not choose to serve longer under the Count de Bitche.'
'This is rank mutiny; but perhaps you would prefer to serve under the enemy?'
'I have not said so. A volunteer chooses his own leader; it is the rule of war.'
'From whence came you last?'
'Champagne.'
'Aha—France!' said Schreckhorn, with kindling eyes, and I found that I had made a false move. 'You issued out with us; speak quick, fellow, for our troops are marching in, and yonder ten troopers are nearer than I like. You joined our sortie?'
'My presence here implies that I did so,' said I, haughtily, and gathering confidence on perceiving that some five or six petardiers, who remained by the side of Schreckhorn, all the soldiers of the sortie, were now marching into Phalsbourg.
'Then you must know the password for the day?'